10 simple steps to start changing your life today

Ready for change, but don't have the time or energy for a life overhaul? Fine tuning – or making big changes in small steps – is at the core of the living savvy approach. This is one of the first articles published on the Living Savvy website – and one that I love to come back to regularly to remind myself that change can always begin with simple choices.

Step #1: Practice Change

Start simple and practice doing something a little different each week. Order a quirky coffee flavour, flip to a radio station you wouldn't usually listen to, or smile at a stranger in the check-out line. Welcome opportunities to try something new and you might be surprised by what shows up. You'll also feel more energised and positive about making changes that are important to you.

Step #2: Forget Big Picture Thinking

Thinking about everything you ideally want to achieve in your life, and what you need to do to make it happen, can be incredibly daunting. Your dreams are likely to encompass multiple facets – career, family, personal development – and include plans that can only reach fruition over many months or years.

Given such a broad scope, your mind immediately goes to work imagining any number of possible scenarios and often exaggerates the potential obstacles. It's too easy to let these doomsday fantasies stop you before you've even begun. The power of fine-tuning is that you don't need to have every stage planned in advance, you can start now with just one small step.

Step #3: Choose Just One Change – Make It Something You Really Want

The more changes you make at once, the more difficult it is to maintain. Choose just one aspect of your life to begin fine-tuning. It could be anything: have more fun, lose weight, start a meditation practice, eat better, spend more time with the family or do volunteer work. The only rule is you need to choose something you really want.

Starting a new exercise program because you think you should, or because someone told you to, will not give you the motivation you need to succeed. You choose your path in life; make each choice count. Ask yourself:

What do I want to experience today? What do I want to be different? What would I do if success was guaranteed?

Step #4: Focus On The Positive

Choosing to change any aspect of your life, even for the better, generally requires some measure of sacrifice. Eating healthy means fewer desserts, exercising in the morning means less sleep, or developing a personal practice means less time for family obligations.

Dwelling on the negative and trying to 'push' yourself through is no way to make a change. At best you'll make yourself miserable, at worst you'll exhaust yourself with the effort and give up. Instead, focus on the positive outcomes (feeling healthier, having more energy, being calm and balanced) and allow them to pull you towards change.

Step #5: Don't Wait For The Perfect Moment

There's no better time to start than right now. Read the biography of any successful person and you will find someone who made a habit of starting, again and again, for as many times as necessary to reach their goals. If you wait until you're perfectly ready, with the perfect circumstances, at the perfect time… well, your life will probably pass you by!

Step #6: Pace Yourself

You'll need to make a specific goal for your change, and the key is to make it very small and absolutely achievable. For example, you could begin a meditation practice with just three minutes per day. Three minutes is easy! Add an extra three minutes each week. By the end of three months you'll be meditating for more than 30 minutes a day. (This is great for exercise as well.)

Start really small, even if it feels silly to do anything for only three minutes. It's much better to make slow but steady progress, than to rush ahead and end up back where you started, even more disheartened.

Step #7: Be Prepared For Resistance

Most change is accompanied by discomfort, so be prepared. Record the positive reasons for change on a simple card and keep it by your bed or in your purse. Seek support from people keen to see you achieve your goals (take care with those who may prefer to maintain the status quo). Know that you can feel uncomfortable and do it anyway – remember why you're doing it!

Step #8: Track Your Progress

You're much more likely to sustain a change if you record your progress. That may mean pinning a very simple chart to the wall and checking off milestones, or  making a few notes in a journal at the end of each day. Many people share their experiences online (such as on the Living Savvy Community Forums) to benefit from public accountability and support.

Step #9: Don't Dwell On Mistakes

Holding yourself accountable is important, but don't berate yourself if you slip or miss a day. Overly critical self-talk can set off a cycle of negativity that erodes your motivation to change. Examine the situation objectively and see what you can learn.  And remember, each moment is a fresh opportunity to make a different choice.

Step #10: Celebrate Success

Every small step is carrying you closer to your ideal life. Acknowledge your success and plan your rewards with the Living Savvy Community and we'll celebrate your successes with you! Above all, enjoy the power that comes with fine tuning your life!

• share:
• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet this link
• Email a friend

Related posts:

1. How do I find time to start changing my life?
2. How to start meditating – without the stress
3. How to take a snapshot of the life you are creating
4. Living Savvy Episode #2: Learn how life coaching can help you
5. How To Be Happier Every Day